A Buzzard visited our garden, sitting on the fence between the paddock and the garden. As I approached, the bird flew off and sat on the fence further into the paddock. It then flew into the next door field. In the process the Buzzard was mobbed by the Red Kites. A bit of a change, the Red Kites themselves are normally mobbed by the Jackdaws and Rooks.
Saturday we went to our local firework display at Kingswood organised by Ian and Julie and kindly hosted by George and Annie. Ian put on the display. Burgers and sausages cooked and serverd by Duncan, Keith, Karin and Charlotte. Good time as we get to meet and chat with others from the village we might not meet every day. Selina, Phil and Julian came over as well. Selina caught up with Julie and Smeg.
Lovely still evening, no wind and remarkably warm for the end of October. The bonfire included some of the stuff we had been collecting for years, including old doors and our “thermometer” which was placed on the crossways years ago when we were trying to get people to sign up for broadband.
Kingswood Bonfire
Christmas is over, with the real Boxing Day nearing the end. Family has left and Rosemary and I are left alone to eat our turkey and bread sauce sandwiches. This Christmas has been a white one with snow on the fields, and -10C frosts and hot wood burners toasting our toes. Friends in the pub to share a pint or two, Selina and Phil to share a turkey with. Alas did not manage to persuade Selina to run to the village shop. Yes, an evil plan hatched by her parents, the shop does not open on Boxing Day.
Here are a few pictures for you, I have even take a departure from the norm and condescended to include some people in one or two shots.
The annual tug of war match between Wotton Underwood and Kingswood was held on May 31st 2010. I have at last loaded the pictures to the website.
https://www.blasdale.com/blog/picture-albums/blasdale-picture-gallery-2010/2010-tug-of-war/
Yesterday it started to snow at around five in the afternoon. Today we have six inches of snow, measured with a ruler and measured in several places on flat hard ground away from walls. This is not a Blasdale exaggeration, so no need to divide by 2. Nice fluffy snow because the temperature is still below freezing.
I hope the sun will come out so I can get some nice photographs, but for the moment here are some I have taken.
Snow scene taken in Kingswood, Buckinghamshire on the 6th January 2010 after overnight snow fall of 6 inches.
Snow scene taken in Kingswood, Buckinghamshire on the 6th January 2010 after overnight snow fall of 6 inches.
Snow scene taken in Kingswood, Buckinghamshire on the 6th January 2010 after overnight snow fall of 6 inches.
Plough and Anchor, Kingswood, Buckinghamshire on the 6th January 2010 after overnight snow fall of 6 inches.
Group of us from the village attacked the near derelict chapel, cutting the grass, cutting down the scrub, which was growing up. We must really find some thing, which can be done to the chapel before it falls down.
Sunday, back at home, so the lawn was cut for the first time this year. Yes life is so exciting. Evening we went around to John and Carol for an excellent supper, and came away with a camera bag for our up coming holiday. I think this caused John much amusement with my previous opinions on camera bags. Any way this was very kind of John and Carol.
Well at least almost the correct day, one day early. We went to the Plough and Anchor for a meal. Very good meal. Lashed out on a bottle of Champagne, which I ordered while Rosemary was otherwise engaged.
Rosemary thought the restaurant owner was very rude opening the bottle of Veuve ClicQuot for another table at the spare setting on our table. That was until he poured the glasses and handed Rosemary her glass.
Kingswood was the host to the League shoot this Sunday. The League shoot seemed to be on a bit of a recovery, there were 97 entrants for the shoot. The shoot was on Pete’s land, and very compact because of the ground conditions. Five stands. Quite demanding, I am totally out of practise and managed 25/50. Cleared up by 2.00 and went home for lunch. Don’t know what the results were, but at least Kingswood were able to field a complete team this time.
Today was the fire lighting day at the Plough and Anchor. Traditionally the fire is lit on the 1st October every year. Jake lit the fire, where upon the bar and restaurant was filled with smoke. It took quite a while before the draft was sufficient to draw all the smoke up the chimney. The fire will now remain continuously alight until spring.
We had a conker knock out competition, and Jake provided us with pies and excellent pickle onions. It was a truly excellent Friday evening.
